West Hollywood Book Fair

I headed to the 9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair this pas Sunday at West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard on one of the hottest days of the year.

Entertainers Panels:
I was pretty bummed that I missed seeing some special guests like actress Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink), author James Ellroy (L.A. Confidential) and actress and author Victoria Rowell (Drucilla Winters from The Young and the Restless). I also (thankfully) missed Sarah Silverman as she promoted her new book. I just don't get her brand of humor at all.

Comic Book Panels:
I was lucky enough to catch the Comics on Comics panel featuring Mouse Guard creator and artist, David Petersen, and dark comic book writer, Joshua Dysart (Conan, Swamp Thing, Hellboy). This panel was fun as well as informative and reminded me of a Comic Con panel. Mouse Gaurd is described as Stuart Little meets LOTR but I thought of it as warrior mice with swords and knives. The Mouse Guard books and comics have such great detail and art that it seems it would translate well to a feature film. Petersen said that there is some talk of it but he didn't give any details. Dysart described his visits to Uganda while researching his new dark and violent comic about child soldiers called The Unknown Soldier. He kept looking at me the entire time though and I got a bit concerned until I realized I was wearing an African print top my mom made(lol). I can't say Unknown Soldier is ever a comic I would buy but Dysart seemed very enthusiastic about it. Personally, I like comic books that help me escape reality not sink me deep into it. I do pray for the children and Ecclesia Church plans to show the documentary Invisible Children: Stories of War in October so I will help in that way.

Writer's Panels:
I also attended one of the 4 Writing Room workshops for writers' titled Flying Solo: Your Passport to Freelance Success and led by book author and freelance writer, Jen Jones, who fittingly enough once worked for Jenny Jones on her TV show. Jen's session was great because she answered all the questions I had about freelancing and offered new ways about breaking into the business She offers a 6 week online class that's starting soon and she also does classes for MediaBistro as well as for her self through her company, Creative Groove. Visit Jen at www.creativegroove.com

Live Performances and the Teens of 826LA:
I milled around the fair a bit in the time between the panels and saw some very questionable exhibits (porn, alternative life style etc.) but it doesn't predominate the fair as most offerings were PG-13. The Book Fair offered many stages or tents which housed author panels, a large variety of exhibitors and even live performances. Among my favorite live performers were the circus group who strolled around on stilts ala Cirque du Soliel as they handed out fliers for their classes. My others favorite live performances was the on-stage poetry and essay reading from teens from 826LA , a non-profit working with students ages 6-18 to build their skills and interests in literary pursuits. I was so impressed by these young people that I complimented them and signed up as a volunteer. I also found out that Judd Apatow is on their board and that he'll be doing some fund-raisers for them this year. I was inches away from Apatow last year at an Academy panel and he seems like a real down to earth guy.

Star Wars Tribute:
The piece de resistance was Obi-Shawn, an actor and Star Wars enthusiast (to put it mildly) dressed as Obi-Wan in full desert tunic and light saber. Obi-Shawn also brought his Star Wars inspired car to the Fair complete with an R2D2 replica in the back as well as vanity plates. Hurrying along behind him was Yoda, carried by a guy from the L.A. Sci-Fi club (I can't make this stuff up). A small crowd quickly gathered of young and old alike as Shawn approached the car. The car door opened with R2's trademark beeps and whistles and Obi-Shawn jumped in and buckled up with Yoda riding shotgun. I thought the car was just a homage and didn't run but Obi-Shawn revved the engine and they drove out of there... to “ a galaxy far, far away” (I couldn't resist). I swear I heard the Star Wars theme as they drove away and for a minute there I was 13 again and seeing the movie for the first time. Needless to say we all waved at them until they were out of sight. You must check out the pictures and videos in the side-bar 'cause it's too cute. For more information about 826LA visit them at www.826la.org and for more info on the West Hollywood Book Fair, visit www.westhollywoodbookfair.org and "May the force be with you"!

2 Thessalonians 3:16King James Version
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.